Class of ‘25: Juniors on the Rise
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Summer time is always an entertaining period to evaluate prospects. Especially prospects preparing for their junior year. This is not only when they begin to show significant improvement in the weight room, but it is also when their stock can…
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Continue ReadingSummer time is always an entertaining period to evaluate prospects. Especially prospects preparing for their junior year. This is not only when they begin to show significant improvement in the weight room, but it is also when their stock can absolutely soar while attending summer showcases. That’s been the story for quite a few players from the Class of ’25. But during the evaluation process for this June update, it was clear this group of prospects needed to be moved up. Here are five juniors-to-be that have noticeably improved since the previous update.
With each summer update there’s typically a few prospects that truly see their stock blow up before the fall. During the Top 5 coverage for this update we mentioned that Caden Butler Caden Butler 6’0″ | 180 lbs | WR Lincoln | 2025 State CA was one of those prospects. Another was Linkon Cure Linkon Cure 6’6″ | 210 lbs | TE Goodland | 2025 State KS of Goodland. The 6-foot-6 tight end climbed over 100 spots in this update to become the 11th ranked prospect overall, and he’s now behind DaSaahn Brame DaSaahn Brame 6’6″ | 230 lbs | TE Derby | 2025 State KS as the 2nd ranked tight end in the class. Once recruiters caught wind of Cure’s outstanding numbers from this recent track season, they immediately reached out. Cure now holds Power 5 offers from Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, and Missouri.
A third prospect that saw tremendous growth since the previous update was Keiton Jones Keiton Jones 6’5″ | 300 lbs | ATH Field Kindley | 2025 State KS of Field Kindley. He was a part of the newcomers that joined the rankings in the March update, and now he’s a member of the Top 100. Jones moved up 31 spots to No. 70 overall, and the two-way lineman is now the 9th ranked athlete in the class. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound prospect has shown upside on both sides of the ball throughout combine and camp season. There aren’t too many linemen with his size and versatility, and recruiters are beginning to notice. Earlier this month he received a D-II offer from Pittsburg State, and he could potentially see more come his way as he progresses the rest of the summer.
This next prospect is quickly closing in on the top ranking at his position. Terrell King Terrell King 5’8″ | 155 lbs | DB Hutchinson | 2025 State KS of Hutchinson moves inside the Top 50 in this update, and he’s now on the heels of Ashton Morgan Ashton Morgan 5’9″ | 165 lbs | DB Blue Valley North | 2025 State KS for the No. 1 defensive back ranking after being ranked No. 3 at the position in March. We highlighted a few of King’s accomplishments from the ’22 campaign in the previous update, but he added more during the second half of his sophomore year. King ended basketball season with All-State honors, and he closed out the school year by qualifying for the 5A state track meet in the long jump. His most recent activity on the gridiron included a strong camp performance while at the University of Alabama.
Holden Ziegler Holden Ziegler 6’3″ | 260 lbs | DL Council Grove | 2025 State KS of Council Grove was another small-school prospect that improved his stock since the previous update. Ziegler is the second prospect featured in this piece to crack the Top 25, as he moved up from No. 38 overall to No. 25. The 5th ranked defensive lineman has looked very impressive during the month of June. So far this summer he’s put together two standout camp performances at Central Missouri and Kansas State. He was able to showcase his repertoire of moves and quick first step during one-on-one’s. Ziegler is a defensive tackle recruiters need to have their eyes on this season.
Highlights
The fifth highest increase in rank during this June update belongs to Brady Johnson Brady Johnson 6’1″ | 225 lbs | DL Wichita NW | 2025 State KS of Wichita Northwest. When Johnson first debuted back in March, we mentioned how he has the potential to be a key contributor for Northwest as a junior. Not only has he proved that to be true this summer, but he’s now looking more like a potential breakout player. Johnson came into the summer with some momentum after standing out at the KC Varsity Combines series in May. Since then, he’s impressed at college camps such as Lindenwood, the University of Central Oklahoma, Pittsburg State, and the University of Wyoming.